Happy Holidays!

I am writing to thank you for your support, and to ask that you consider making a donation to Ross Creek this December. I have been thrilled to oversee the development of new programs at the Centre as more people are able to access our programs through the generosity of people like you.

When summer is over, our focus changes from our large scale camps to outreach work in our communities. This fall, we have been working with seniors in assisted living and nursing homes,  hosted a retreat for youth who use B-Boy (breakdance) and hip-hop music to make a difference in the lives of marginalized youth and running a portfolio program to help rural kids get the skills they need to get into art school. We have worked with school groups and communities, hosted lectures and spread our programs throughout NS to make sure we reach as many people as we can through the power of art. We are also taking over the management of one of our flagship programs, Dance Summer Dance, which had previously been in partnership with Dance Nova Scotia (which no longer operates summer programs).  These are only a few of our current projects and they are all dependent on donations.

As you approach the end of the year, I hope that you can consider making an investment in Ross Creek. You can tell us how you would like it applied, or let us apply it wherever it is most needed. We keep our costs very low, but we do need your support to keep the Centre doing its job – being a vibrant resource for the local and wider community –  both our physical and programming resources are used by thousands of people each year. Our dedication to inclusiveness means that we are often serving people who cannot pay for our programs, which is where you can help.

You can also choose to give the gift of art by providing a bursary, either through the RJ Owen Fund or to a specific child in need, or making a general donation in someone’s name. We’ll make sure they get a card in time for the December holiday. Through CanadaHelps, you can also choose a monthly donation if that is more convenient.

Your tax-deductible donation helps us to provide meaningful arts interaction for someone in your community. Every contribution helps change the lives of many who are able to reach their potential through programming at Ross Creek. Thank you for believing in this unique vision.

Click here to donate on-line through Canada Helps, or you can also send a  cheque or credit card donation through this form and tell us where you want your contribution designated. You are also welcome to email me at chris@artscentre.ca or call 582-3842 to discuss how you can be involved. You will get a tax receipt, a card if you would like it designated in someone’s name as a gift, and an invitation to one of our upcoming receptions with visiting artists (we have Israeli, British and Italian artists coming this spring).  For the first 30 donors of $250, we will also send you one of our Ross Creek limited edition t-shirts! We also always need help from people with different skills, so if you can’t make a cash contribution but would consider giving your time and expertise, please get in touch.

You can hear a CBC Documentary about our history and development here. 

Thank you very much for your time and thought.

Ms. Chris O’Neill, Executive Director

PS: On January 13, we have our first  Community Arts Sunday of 2013, with a special celebration of the food, art, film and culture of South Asia, from noon until 4 pm, and with many activities, treats and opportunities to celebrate the new year in style with glorious cultural gifts from Pakistan and India, now part of Canadian culture.